Reading's Austin Prep promotes longtime assistant as its new head hockey coach

Thursday

Jun 8, 2017 at 12:18 AMJun 8, 2017 at 12:19 AM

Austin Preparatory School in Reading is pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Pappas of Andover to the position of head coach of its boys’ ice hockey team.

Pappas has been the team’s assistant coach for six years, serving with longtime head coach Lou Finocchiaro of Saugus, who retired in May after 14 years behind the Cougars’ bench.

"We are confident that coach Pappas has the experience and expertise to lead our program into the future," said Director of Athletics Jonathan Pollard.

Pollard added that Pappas’ familiarity and existing relationships with the players puts him in a position to expedite the advancement of the school’s tremendously successful boys’ hockey program.

Steve MacAdams will be returning to the program as assistant coach, supporting Pappas as he transitions into the head coaching position. MacAdams has also been with the program for six years.

In his role as assistant coach, Pappas worked with the varsity defensemen, also helping lead the 2016-17 team to the Division 1 state tournament, while also going undefeated in the Catholic Central League.

Since joining the school in 2012, the team has made numerous appearances in the elite Super 8 Tournament, and also added several CCL titles to the list of accomplishments.

"It’s been a great run working with Lou Finocchiaro," Pappas said. "Steve and I look forward to keeping the great Austin Prep tradition going."

His impressive coaching resume also includes being an assistant skills coach for the Valley Junior Warriors, a Haverhill youth team, and a private skills coach for children ages 5-18.

Previously, Pappas served as an assistant coach for Wilmington and Newburyport youth teams, and the Braves, a North Andover youth team that he helped lead to the USA National Hockey Championships.

Pappas works as a sales manager at the Martignetti Companies in Taunton.